Apparatus for decorating glassware



Jan. 8, 1957 .1. J. SUCHOCKI APPARATUS FOR DECORATING GLASSWARE 2Sheets-Shae: 1

Filed Sept. 29, 1953 Jan. 8, 1957 .1. .1. SUCHOCKI APPARATUS FORDECORATING GLASSWARE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 2 9, 1953 I M 5 F 0 ffl/ a 1 m J 0. 3 2

Unite States Patent APPARATUS FOR DECORATING GLASSWARE John J. Suchocki,Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, a corporation ofOhio Application September 29, 1953, Serial No. 383,060

8 Claims. (Cl. 118-219) The present invention relates to improvements inapparatus for decorating glassware and more particularly pertains tomeans for applying a gold band to the beaded edge, or rim portion oftumblers and like articles having a surface of revolution.

Considerable difiiculty has been experienced in the past in efforts tocommercially apply such bands so that they are of uniform width andthickness and do not reveal the point of juncture or overlap of the endsof the applied band.

An object of my invention is to overcome all such objections and providenovel and simple means for rapidly and perfectly banding or coating therim, both internally and externally of the article of glassware.

A further object is the provision of apparatus which may be adjustedquite easily to accommodate tumblers and the like of various rimdiameters.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed outhereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 i a side elevational view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view with part of the article chuckremoved;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view, partly in section;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken along the line 44 of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a modified arrangement of the feedrolls; and

Fig. 6 is a detail elevational View of the coating rolls and transferroller arrangement.

in the illustrated embodiment of my invention l have shown same asincluding a base member 10 and a frame 11 mounted on said base member.This frame includes an upright arm 12 which carries both the tumblersupporting chuck l3 and other devices, as will be explained hereinafter.

The chuck comprises an inclined post or rod .14, removably anchored atits lower end in a boss 15 on an elongated base plate 15*, the latterextending in a generally upward direction normal to the axis of the postand being longitudinally adjustable on an inclined support 16. Thiinclined support and base plate have a bolt and slot connection 17permitting easy adjustment of the post in a radial direction and lockingof same in any desired position as determined by the diameter or taper,of the walls of the article being banded. An angular connector bar 18secures the inclined support 16 to the aforementioned upright arm 12.

The post or rod 14 carries a pair of longitudinally spaced disks 19which are of suitable diameter and configuration to engage the interiorsurface of the article at axially spaced points to properly support sucharticle. These disks are slidable axially on the rod. Coil springs 20urge these disks upwardly a limited distance as determined by cross pins21 or the like carried by the post or rod 14. Thus the disks normallyare in their uppermost or outermost position which has been soestablished as to prevent any contact between the coating 2,776,641 fatented Jan. 8, 1957 devices and rim of the tumbler incident to mereinitial placement of the latter on the chuck. Axial downward movement ofthe chuck disks is necessary to effect such contact, as will be apparenthereinafter.

The coating means comprises a pair of frusto-conical rotatable coatingrolls 22 which are freely rotatable about their axes and mounted upon apair of arms 23, the latter being pivoted at their outer ends oninclined pivot pins 24 which are carried by brackets 25 attached to thefront surface of the upright arm 12. Thus these arms 23 and the rolls 22may be swung toward and away from each other. The axes of these tworolls are oppositely inclined and spaced apart horizontally, being sorelatively positioned that vertical planes extending longitudinallythrough these axes are substantially parallel and equally spaced ateither side of and parallel with a vertical plane through the lengthwiseof the axis of the chuck 13.

These rolls also are so relatively positioned that the smaller end ofone such roll is closely adjacent to the larger end of the other roll.Also each roll preferably is formed of rubber or like material, or inany event has a resilient rubber facing about its periphery.

By reason of the foregoing it is apparent that a liquid coating materialwhen carried as a film upon the peripheral surfaces of these rolls, maybe transferred to the rim R and contiguous circumferential surfaces of atumbler T or like article incident to the application of downward axialpressure upon the tumbler sufficient to firmly interengage the rim androlls. Owing to the angular relationship between the tumbler T and theperipheral surfaces of the rolls (Fig. 1) it is apparent that one suchroll coats a circumferential portion of the rim or bead R and a narrowcontiguous external surface, While'the other roll coats the remainder ofthe rim, or head and a narrow contiguous internal surface, as well as afraction of the surface which has already contacted the first roll. Thusthe coating is uniformly applied and produces a perfect decorative band.It will be appreciated that the resilient facing of the rolls permitsthe rim of the tumbler to be pressed thereinto to some extent. Thus thedescribed coating is attained.

It is important that the vertical plane in which the chuck axis lies andalong which the chuck is adjusted to accommodate articles of differentdiameter, be parallel to and medially located between the axes of therolls. Such insures maximum contact between the rolls and surfaces to becoated. Any departure from such relative positioning of the chuck androlls progressively lessens the coating effectiveness.

Delivery of the liquid coating material to the rolls 22 (Figs. 1, 3, and4) is obtained by means including a mechanically driven hard-surfacedtransfer roller 26 mounted upon a horizontal shaft 27, the axis of whichis positioned medially 0f the vertical planes-in which the roll axeslie. The shaft 27 is journaled in a hearing in the upright arm 12 and bymeans of a flexible coupling 28 is connected to a speed control device29, which in turn has operative connection through a shaft 30 with amotor M. Thus the roller 26 is rotated at any desired speed and in turnrotates and delivers coating material to the rolls 22.

It is important that the coating material be distributed as a thin filmupon the transfer roller 26. To this end I employ a distributor roller31 including a soft rubber facing ring 32 for contact with the transferroller 26. This distributor roller 31 is adapted to be reciprocatedincident to its rotation, such being accomplished by incorporating inthe mounting a stationary stub shaft 33 threaded with a continuous rightand left-hand thread, engaged by a follower carried by the roller 31.This shaft 33 has an eccentric mounting 34 in the upright arm 12 and ascrew driver accommodating kerf 35 in its outer end. Thus the pressureof this distributor roller upon the transfer roller may be adjusted asrequired.

Feed rollers 36 are mounted below the distributor roller 31 (Figs. 3 and4) such being arranged in series with latter and in peripheral rollingcontact therewith. These feed rollers are eccentrically mounted inconventional manner to permit relative adjustment of their axesradially. The liquid coating material is fed to one of the feed rolls 36through a tube 37 from a pressure reservoir 33 mounted upon theaforementioned upright arm 12 by means of a bracket 39 and connected toan air pressure line 41 Briefly reviewed, the operation involvesdepositing the liquid coating material upon the feed rollers andtransferring same by means of the several rollers including thedistributor roller 31 to provide a uniform film upon the transfer roller26 which in turn applies a thin film to the coating rolls 22. The latterrolls 22 are positively driven by the transfer roller 26. A tumbler T isplaced upon the chuck, rim downward. At this point there is no contactbetween the tumbler and coating rolls 22. Axial downward pressure on thetumbler compresses the springs 26! of the chuck and effects firm contactbetween the rim R of the article and the coating rolls 22.. Immediatelythese rolls initiate rotation of the tumbler and chuck to progressivelycoat the rim R and contiguous inside and outside circumferentialsurfaces of the article. Several revolutions of the article complete theCoating operation, the number being determined by the depth of coatingdesired.

In Fig. I have illustrated a modified form of feed roller arrangement inwhich the rollers 36 are in a horizontal series instead of staggered asin Fig. 3. Such may well be a space-saving expedient.

Further modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising an article supportingchuck having an inclined longitudinal axis about which it is rotatable,resilient means urging the chuck upwardly a limited extent along itsaxis, a pair Of resilient rubber-faced frusto-conical rolls in proximityto the lower end of the chuck, said rolls being mounted for rotation onoppositely inclined substantially co-extensive axes which are spacedapart horizontally and lie in substantially parallel vertical planes,the rolls being so relatively positioned that the smaller diameter endof one roll is adjacent to the larger diameter end of the other roll andthe smaller diameter ends of both rolls are lowermost, and means fordelivering a liquid coating material and distributing the same over theperipheral surfaces of the rolls.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising an article supportingchuck having an inclined longitudinal axis about which it is rotatable,resilient means urging the chuck upwardly a limited extent along itsaxis, a pair of resilient rubber-faced frusto-conical rolls in proximityto the lower end of the chuck, said rolls being mounted for rotation onoppositely inclined substantially co-extensive axes which are spacedapart horizontally and lie in substantially parallel vertical planes,the rolls being so relatively positioned that the smaller diameter endof one roll is adjacent to the larger diameter end of the other roll andthe smaller diameter ends of both rolls are lowermost, the axis ofthe-chuck lying in a vertical plane between and substantially parallelwith the planes of said inclined axes of the rolls, and means fordelivering a liquid coating material and distributing the same over theperipheral surfaces of the rolls.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising an article supportingchuck having an inclined longitudinal axis about which it is rotatable,resilient means urging the chuck upwardly a limited extent along itsaxis, a pair of resilient rubber-faced frusto-conical rolls in proximityto the lower end of the chuck, said rolls being mounted for rotation onoppositely inclined substantially co-extensive axes which are spacedapart horizontally and lie in substantially parallel vertical planes,the rolls being so relatively positioned that the smaller diameter endof one roll is adjacent to the larger diameter end of the other roll andthe smaller diameter ends of both rolls are lowermost, a drivenhorizontal transfer roller for applying liquid coating material to saidrolls and having peripheral rolling contact with the latter, the axis ofsaid transfer roller being disposed in a plane which when extendedvertically, forms an acute angle with the aforementioned plane of thechuck axis, and means for delivering a liquid coating material anddistributing the same over the peripheral surfaces of the rolls.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising an article supportingchuck having an inclined longitudinal axis about which it is rotatable,resilient means urging the chuck upwardly a limited extent along itsaxis, a pair of resilient rubber-faced frusto-conical rolls in proximityto the lower end of the chuck, said rolls being mounted for rotation onoppositely inclined substantially cc-extensive axes which are spacedapart horizontally and lie in substantially parallel vertical planes,the rolls being so 1': ivcly pus ioncd that the smaller diameter end ofone i ll is adjacent to the larger diameter end of the other roll andthe smaller diameter ends of both rolls are lowermost, a drivenhorizontal transfer roller for applying liquid coating material to saidrolls and having peripheral rollin contact with the latter, the axis ofsaid transfer roller being disposed in a plane which when extended icaly, forms an acute angle with the aforementioned plane of the chuck axis,and means for delivering a liquid coating material and distributing thesame over the peripheral surfaces of the rolls, the axis of the chucklying in a vertical plane between and substantially parallel with theplanes of said inclined axes of the rolls.

5. Apparatus of the caracter described comprising an article supportingchuck having an inclined longitudinal axis about which it is rotatable,resilient means urging the chuck upwardly a limited extent along itsaxis, a pair of resilient rubber-faced frusto-conical rolls in proximityto the lower end of the chuck, said rolls being mounted for rotation onoppositely inclined substantially coextensive axes which are spaced rthorizontally and lie in substantially parallel ver Al planes, the rollsbeing so relatively positioned that the smaller diameter end of one rollis adjacent to the larger diameter end of the other roll and the smallerdiameter ends of both rolls are lowermost, a driven horizontal transferroller for applying liquid coating material to said rolls and havingperipheral rolling contact with the latter, the axis of said transferroller being disposed in a plane which when extended vertically, formsan acute angle with the aforementioned plane of the chuck axis, adistributor roller in peripheral rolling contact with the transferroller to effect rotation of the former, means for axially reciprocatingthe distributor roller to thereby eifect distribution of liquid coatingmaterial over the peripheral surface of the transfer roller. means forsupplying liquid coating material to the eripheral surface of thedistributor roller.

'6. Apparatus for applying a liquid coating material to the rim surfaceportion and contiguous band like exterior and interior surfaces of atumbler or like article, comprising a pair of frusto-conical rolls eachhaving a resilient peripheral surface, said rolls being arranged side byside and having their axes substantially co-extensive and oppositelyinclined to position the peripheral surface of one roll for contact witha circumferential portion of the defined surfaces of the tumbler and theperipheral surface of the other roll for contact with the othercircumferential portion of said surfaces and a fraction of the firstnamed circumferential portion of the defined surfaces, a driven rollerfor positively rotating said rolls and delivering a liquid coatingmaterial to the peripheral surfaces of the latter and a rotatable chuckfor supporting a tumbler with its axis inclined and its rim portion andadjacent circumferential side surfaces in rolling contact with theperipheral surfaces of both said rolls.

7. Apparatus for applying a liquid coating material to the rim surfaceportion and contiguous band-like exterior and interior surfaces of atumbler or like article, comprising a pair of frusto-conical rolls eachhaving a resilient peripheral surface, said rolls being arranged side byside and having their axes substantially co extensive and oppositelyinclined to position the peripheral surface of one roll for contact witha circumferential portion of the defined surfaces of the tumbler and theperipheral surface of the other roll for contact with the othercircumferential portion of said surfaces and a fraction of the firstnamed circumferential portion of the defined surfaces, a driven rollerfor positively rotating said rolls and delivering a liquid coatingmaterial to the peripheral surfaces of the latter and a rotatable chuckfor supporting a tumbler with its axis inclined and its rim portion andadjacent circumferential side surfaces in rolling contact with theperipheral surfaces of both said rolls, and resilient means urging thechuck axially away from said rolls.

8. Apparatus for applying a liquid coating material to the rim surfaceportion and contiguous band-like exterior and interior surfaces of atumbler or like article, comprising a pair of frusto-conical rolls eachhaving a resilient peripheral surface, said rolls being arranged side byside and having their axes substantially co-extensive and oppositelyinclined to position the peripheral surface of one roll for contact witha circumferential portion of the defined surfaces of the tumbler and theperipheral surface of the other roll for contact with the othercircumferential portion of said surfaces and a fraction of the firstnamed circumferential portion of the defined surfaces, a driven rollerfor positively rotating said rolls and delivering a liquid coatingmaterial to the peripheral surfaces of the latter and a. rotatable chuckfor supporting a tumbler with its axis inclined and its rim portion andadjacent circumferential side surfaces in rolling contact with theperipheral surfaces of both said rolls, and means for bodily adjustingthe chuck in a direction normal to its axis to vary the spacedrelationship between said axis and the rolls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,622,174 Becht Mar. 22, 1927 1,710,727 Erickson Apr. 30, 1929 2,522,121Keller Sept. 12, 1950 2,651,282 Schweitzer Sept. 8, 1953

